Motor vehicle control



June 4, i935. w. s. FAGEOL 003,431

MOTOR VEHICLE CONTROL Flled Aug. 2l, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet l June 4, 935.

W, B. FAGEOL MOTOR VEHICLE CONTROL Filed Aug. 21 1931 June 4,1935. w. B. FAGEOL '2,003,431

MOTOR VEHICLE CONTROL Filed Aug. 21, v1951 s sheets-sheet 3' Patentedl June 4, A1935 UNITED f STATES MOTOR VEHICLE CONTROL William B. Fageol, Kent, Ohio Application August '21 f 'l Claims.

This invention relates to an arrangement for controlling the operation ofv a motor vehicle, such as a delivery vehicle. More particularly, the invention relates to a control arrangement lor a vehicle of the type in which a transverse passageway is provided through the body, permitting the operator to readily alight or dismount from the vehicle, in which the control elements are disposed in the passageway so as to simplify the starting and stopping of the vehicle under all conditions while the operator is standing or sitting therein.

In my Patent #1,777,966 granted October.7, 1930, I have disclosed a delivery vehicle including a passageway extending transversely through the body, which passageway is provided with a low floor line enabling the operator of the vehicle to readily mount the vehicle in making the deliveries for which purpose the vehicle was particularly f designed. In the operation of vehicles of this character it is desirable that a control arrangement be provided that will enable the operator of the vehicle to expeditiously start, stop and govern the vehicle with a minimum of eiort all to the end that the vehicleis capable of most eiliciently serving the purpose for which it was provided. It is further desirable that in -such a vehicle the operator be provided with ,a seat so that when the vehicle is driven over relatively long ldistances, in reaching a section in which deliveries are to be made, the operator may operate the vehicle with comfort in a seated position, which seat is foldable so as'not to interfere with the movements of the .operator in the passageway.

The present invention aims to provide a control arrangement for a delivery vehicle oi the type just referred to, that will enable an operatoroi the vehicle to eiiiciently and expeditiously control the vehicle either in standing or seated position, and to correlate the control elements that protrude into the passageway with the seat provided for the operator in such a way as to provide a maximum. clearance in the passageway when the seat is not in use.

The invention also aims to provide an emcient arrangement whereby the clutch, forming a part of the driving mechanism of the vehicle, and the braking mechanism may be simultaneously operated in proper sequency by a single foot pedal disposed in the passageway through the bodyof the vehicle, whereby a standing operator can control both clutch and brake with one foot.

Anotherobject of the invention is to provide `a. delivery vehicle in which the clutch forming a part of the driving mechanism of the vehicle and the brake mechanism are interconnected for successive operation either by a single foot pedal 1931, seria No. 55am (ci. iso-'m etliciently stopped by the operator of the vehicle, irrespective of the position that he may occupy, within wide limits, Ain the vehicle body.

This invention also aims to provide a dual con-l trol for the clutch, forming a part of the driving f mechanism oi.' the vehicle; and the braking mech-- anism for the vehicle, in which the same elements that interconnect the clutch and the vbraking mechanism may be selectively operated either by a foot pedal or a handlever associated-with such elements in such way that the operatipn thereof by the loot lever does not ailect the hand lever.

Another object oi the invention is to provide a vehicle control including a foot pedal for the Another object of the invention is toprovide a folding seat in the' form of a saddle, arranged so that the occupant thereof may conveniently operate the vehicle control elements disposedin a passageway extending transversely of the body of the vehicle, which seat is swingingly mounted so that it-may be swung toward the side of the' passageway at which said control elements are located, so that a free and unobstructed passageway is provided at one side of the passageway through the body.

A still further object of the invention is toprovide a foldable seat for a delivery vehicle of the kind that'will clear` the passageway extending transversely of the body, which seat may be swung toward the side of the passageway at which the control elements of the vehicle are located, and which may be adjusted to occupy 'asingle shaft between Iwhich and the` clutch an arm and linkare disposed that are, in driving position, at an oblique angle to each other, and in their non-driving position assume a substantially straight line relation to the end that the release of the clutch is rapid when the shaft is operated and so that after the Aclutch has been released, a further angularmcvement `of the shaft will not affect it. Such further angular movement of the shaft is utilized to actuate the brake mecha- A still further object of the invention is to provide a vehicle control mechanism designed so that the clutch is operated in advance of the braking mechanism by providing a lost motion connection between the brake mechanism and the identical mechanism that operates the clutch, and to provide an alternative means of operating the clutch and brake in proper sequence, said means being connected to the shaft by mechanism including a lost motion connection that will permit the free normal operation of the clutch and brake in proper order.

vStill further objects of the invention will appear as the description thereof proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: V l

Figure 1 is a perspective view vof the preferred form of Vehicle control mechanism.

Figure 2 is 4a fragmentary side elevational view of the parts appearing in Figure l. y

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the passageway through ya delivery vehicle, showing the relation of the folding seat to the control elements disposed in said passageway.

Figure 4 is a perspective view similar to Figure y 3 showing the seat folded in a different Way.

Figure 5 is a perspective view similar to Figure 3, showing the seat in one of its operative positions. I

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5, showing the seat in the other of its operative positions.

Figure 7 is a rear elevational view of the seat support. l l i Figure 8 is a side elevational viewof the seatsupport, showing the seat in assembled relation with respect thereto.

Like reference characters indicate like parts throughout the several figures.

'Ihe present invention is intended for application particularly to vehicles such as delivery vehicles, in which it is intended that the operator control the vehicle, at least at times, when he is in a standing or leaning position requiring that his weight be'supported on one or the other of his feet, thus restricting the freedom of 4move- -ment of the feet in controlling the vehicle. Ve-

hicles of this character are frequently provided with a -passageway extending transversely across the body thereof, in which the operator stands or in which he sits when he is driving the vehicle from one point to another. This passageway is provided in order to furnish free ingress and egress of the operator in making deliveries, the rapidity of which is dependent in large measure upon the ease and facility with which the operator can leave and enter the vehicle and operate the necessary controls through which the 4vehicle is frequently stopped and started.

Referring to the drawings, the floor within the body of such a passageway is designated by the numeral IU. Such floor extends across the body at the same level, except where it is interruptedspeedometer I5 may be disposed in the housing I2, where they may be conveniently seen by the operator of the vehicle.

`Inasmuch as the vehicle is to be controlled at times by an operator who occupies the passageway in a standing position, a novel control mechanism illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 enabling this to be conveniently done, is included inthe vehicle, such mechanism being disposed in large part so as to vbe housed in housing I2 as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art.

Referring to said figures, I6 designates an arm' flxedly secured to a shaft I1 connected to clutch control mechanism of `conventional form housed within a housing I8. The clutch forms a part of the driving mechanism for the vehicle in well known manner. I5 designates the master cylinder of a hydraulic braking system for the vehicle, the control elements of which are attached to a shaft 20 carrying a brake mechanism control arm 2l rigidly attached to the end thereof disposed externally of the master brake cylinder I9.` In order that the brake mechanism control arm 2| and the clutch control arm I6 may be operated successively, a shaft 22 is rotatably journalled in suitable bearings 23 and 24 suitably supported on the frame of the vehicle or other stationary part thereof. Rigidly attached to the shaft 22 is an arm 25, the end of whichremote from the shaft 22 carries a transversely extend-` ing pin 26, connecting said arm to one end of a link 21, the opposite end of which is connected to the free end of arm I6 at 28. Preferably, the link 21 includes a p'art in the form of a hollow member 29. in which another external threaded part 30 is fitted, permitting the length of the arm to be varied by adjusting the part 30 within the part 29, a locknut 3| holding the parts in adjusted position. It- Will be observed, referring to Figure 2, that the link 21 and the arm 25 are disposed at an oblique angle to each other when the clutch is in engaged position, the position in which the part is illustrated in said figure. In releasing the clutch the shaft 22 is operated in a counterclockwise direction, as hereinafter described, causing the arm 25 and links to approach a position in which they extend in a straight line. By virtue of this arrangement,

"the initial movement of the arm 25 causes rst a rapid movement of the clutch arm I6. As the arm 25 and links 21 approach a position in which theyv extend in a straight line, the movement of `the clutch control arm virtually ceases and fur- "ther movement of the arm 25, bringing said arm and the link 21 into a straight line relation, or slightly beyond a straight line, has virtually no effect upon the clutch arm I6. The arrangement just described accordingly causes, when the shaft 22 is operated, rst, a substantial movement of the arm I 6, followed by virtually no further movementof said arm as the arm 25 and links 21 assume approximately a straight line position in relation to each other.

A further arm 32 is rigidly secured to the shaft 22 adjacent the bearing 2l. The arm 32 adjacent its end remote from the shaft 22 is provided with a head 33 that is connected to the bifurcated portion 35 of a link 36, preferably made in two parts, whereby the effective length of the link may be varied by adjusting said parts with respect to each other, the adjustment b eing fixed by a locknut 31. The end of thelink opposite to that.which is connected to the arm 32' is bifurcated and each of the furcations is provided with an elongated slot 38. A pin 39 secured to the arm 2I passes through the slots in said furcations and provides a lost motion connection between said arm and said link. It will be observed that the pin 39 in its normal position,

snown in Figure 2 er the drawings. occupies a position so that thel shaft 22 may be rotated through a substantial angle withouty affecting operation of the arm 2| and the brake-mecha- 5 nism actuated'thereby.

, 'Ji'he' shaft 22 is operated by a foot pedal 48 vrigidly connected to an arm 4|. non-rotatably secured at 42 to the shaft 22. v

.An alternative arrangement for rocking the 1o shaft. 22 is provided, permitting` the' successive controlof the clutch and braking mechanism by means of a hand lever 43, pivotally attached at 44 to the frame of the vehicle. The bifurcated head 45 lof a link member 4i is pivotally connected 'to the lever 43 by means of a suitable pin I4'I'. Link member 46 is adjustably threaded so that link member El can be varied. The parts are held inadjustment by a locknut 48. HThe link member 41 is of bifurcated form and the furcations are slotted as shown at 48. An arm l0, nonrotatably secured to the shaft 22, is operatively vconnected at the ends remote from said shaft, to the link member 41 by means of a pin 5| extending transversely through the head 52, the pin being slidably disposed in the slots 43 of the link member 4l. It will be observed that the slot 49 permits a substantial free movement of is permitted without interference, by virtue of the fact that the arm Sq carried by the shaft is connected to the hand lever 43.k Nevertheless, when the hand lever 43 is swung about its pivotl 44, said lever is effected to rotate the shaft 22 in a counterclockwise direction.' thus providing an alternative way of rotating said shaft and operating the clutch and braking mechanism connected thereto, though the alternativearrangement does not 40 interfere with ftheunctioning of the control of the vehicle by the foot pedal 43.

In order that the lever 43 may be held in adjusted position at which the clutch is released and the brakes/applied, a rack 53 in the form of a 45 sector is disposed adjacent thereto. Cooperating with said rack is a dog it having teeth or a tooth arranged to mesh with the teeth of the rack 53. The dog 54 is pivoted to the lever 43 by means of a suitable pin or bolt E5 and its movement is controlled from the upper end of the lever 43 by means of a bent arm 56 pivoted to the upper end of the lever at 51. Pivotally connected to the arm at 58 isY a link 59 that is pivotally attached to the dog 54 at 60.. The link 59 is guided 55 through a perforated ear 6I projecting laterally from the lever 33. A coil spring $2 surrounding said link and abutting at oneend against the projecting ear tl and at its other end against a pin 63, passing through link 59, serves to maintain the tooth or teeth of the dog 64 in engagement with the rack 53.

"It will be observed that the foot lever 40 and the hand lever 43 are conveniently located for operation by an operator vof the vehicle standing onwthe floor l0. Suitable fuel feed mechanism designated generally by the numeral 54 is likewise arranged on the floor of said passageway and the vehicle is provided in said passageway with a gear shift lever 65 of conventional form and an emergency brake control lever 38 likewise of any approved form. It will beobserved further that the foot pedal 40 is arranged so that theroperator can conveniently apply pressure thereto while in a standing position. When he desires to stop the vehicle or retard its movementphe applies pressure'to theifootpedal 40,

rocking of 'said shaft causes movement of the arms 25, 32 and 5d. The arm 25 moves towards a position in which it occupies la straight lineV 5 with the link 2, causing a rapid release of the clutch during the initial movement of the shaft 22. During such movement, 'the arm 32 moves' with respect to the link A36, but inasmuch as the pin 39` is engaged in a slot in said link,l such initial. movement of said shaft does not affect the braking mechanism. .However, when the arm'ES'and the link 21 approach an approxi-- mately straight line position, the pin 39 reaches the. end of the slot and the braking mechanism is then .actuated in succession after release of the clutch. Arm 5B during Vsuoli movement, simply moves vin the slot 49 without interference, by' virtue of the connection of said arm to the hand lever 43. When the operator of the vehicle is in aposition where the foot pedal 40 is convenient, he will control the movement of the vehicle by means of said foot pedal. However, if the operator is in a position to more conveniently control the movement of the vehicle by means of 25 the hand lever 83, he actuates said hand lever by drawing it toward him. Such movement causes the link 5B to actuatethe' shaft 22 to be operated in a counterclockwise direction, releasing the clutch and applying-the brake mechanism in succession in the manner above described in co'nnection with the operation of the same mechanism when operated by the foot pedal 40. The hand lever 43 is very convenient in anticipating a stop of the delivery vehicle, that is, when the 35 operator intends to alight from the vehicle, he can shift his position so that he can comfortably do so and can then stop the vehicle by drawin g the hand lever 43 toward him, as he is movlng out of the passageway through the body. The ability of the operator of the vehicle to stop it quickly is accordingly greatly increased by virtue of the alternative arrangement providedfor controlling the clutch and braking mechanism in succession through a single hand lever or a single foot pedal. A

In driving the vehicle on grades, it is frequently desirableto apply the brake mechanism without releasing the clutch. To do this, the ,present invention contemplates the provision, 'where' necessary, of an additional brake' control mechanism arranged so that the operator of the vehicle may actuate the brake mechanism alone to retard the movement of the vehicle without disengagement of the clutch. Such independent control of then braking mechanism may be-eiected in a number of dinerent ways. Preferably, a lever 61 provided at one end with a foot pedal 68 that protrudes from the housing l2 above the fuel control mechanism 54, is utilized for this purpose. The lever E1 is pivoted to the frame of the vehicle at 69 in any approved manner, at one corner of the triangular head 10 thereof (Figure 2). The upper corner of said triangular head is connected to the brake mechanism control lever 2i by means of a pin 1| that passes through the lever 2| and is connected thereto by a lost motion connection, permitting swinging ofthe pin in an arcuate path about the pivot 69. When the operator of the vehicle desires to retard its movement without releasing the clutch, he places his foot on the pedal 68, swinging the lever 81 about the pivot 69. Such swinging movement turns the opw eratlng arm 2i to apply the brakes to the vehicle. If desired, the lever 61 may b e directly applied 75 to the brake control shaft 28. A suitable coil spring 12 connectedy at one end to a suitable securing member 13, attached in any way to the frame of the vehicle, and connected at its opposite end to the lever 2| serves to maintain said lever in a position in which the brake mechanism is released. It will be understood that in shifting the gears by the lever 65, the operator merely depresses the pedal 4| -suiliciently to release the clutch without applying the brake mechanism, 'the lost motion connection between the link 36 and the arm 2| permitting this to be freely done. In

' stopping or retarding the vehicle, the operator simply presses harder on the same pedal, providing a single pedal control for the clutch and brake mechanism which may be operated by an operator standing in the transverse passageway extending across the oor i8.

In order to further facilitate the operation of vehicles having a transverse passageway and in order to contribute to the comfort of the operator of the vehicle, a seat is preferably provided that is intended to be occupied by him in driving relatively long distances between two points at which deliveries are to be made, for example. Such a seat is 'made foldable, so that it may be conveniently disposed out of the way of the operator of the vehicle when he is frequently entering land leaving the same in performing his duties. In order that such seat may not interfere with the operator when he desires to enter or leave the vehicle body, this invention provides a seat arrangement that is disposed in the passageway, but secured thereto so that it folds toward the side of the `passageway at which the various control elements ofA the vehicle are disposed.` Since said control elements necessarily protrude more or less into the passageway, by attaching the seat at the same side of the passageway and making it fold toward said side, the other side of the passageway is maintained entirely free of obstructions or projections. Furthermore, in order that the controls may be most conveniently,v disposed with respect to the occupant of the folding seat, said seat is preferably pivotally mounted between the control elements so that the operator may conveniently leave the seat in either direction lengthwise of the transverse passageway. Said seat is. preferably, constructed in the form of a 4saddle which, in view of the fact that the seat is mounted between the control elements of the vehicles, enables the operator comfortably to occupy the seat and when occupying the seat to conveniently operate the controls.

To this end a bracket 14 is suitably attached between the foot pedal 4| and the foot pedal 68,

or between lthe foot pedal 40 and the fuel control ,otally attached to the upper ends of said straps by means of a bolt 88. Suitable braces 8| and 82 rigidly connect the straps 11 and 18, forming a rigid support for the seat. The seat, in the form of a saddle 83, is rigidly attached to the saddle bracket 19. Projecting laterally from said bracket is a bent arm 84 to which a link 89 is pivotally attached at 85. Said link is intended to control the position of the saddle-like seat on the support 16. The link 86 is provided with a pair of longitudinally spaced apertures 81 and 88, veither of which may receive a bolt or pin 88 to detachably connect the link 86 to the laterally bent end 98 of a seat-supporting strut 8|, that is pivoted to depending ears 92 of 'the bracket 82 at 93. This strut 9| comprises a cylindrical portion 94 and a hollow sleeve-like portion 95 in which the portion 94 is intended to be adjusted to va'ry the length of said strut. A set-screw 96 or similar means may be utilized to retain the hollow member 95 in proper position with respect to the member 94. The end of the strut 9| that is intended to contact with the floor I0, is provided with a foot 91 of resilient material such as rubber, having a socket portion intended to receive the end of the strut and a rounded portion intended to contact with the floor, providing a cushioned support for the strut and the seat 83, the weight of which is supported mainly upon said strut when the seat is in its operative position.

The strut 9| is intended to fold between the straps 11 and 18 which comprise the seat-support 16 when the seat is in its folded position. In order that the strut may be automatically brought to its folded position when the seat is to be folded out of the passageway, a control link 98is provided. The link 98 is pivotally connected at 99 between ears |88 projecting laterally from the bracket 14, and it is connected to the end of the curved arm 93 by the pin 89. It will be observed that the length of the link 98 exceeds the distance between the center of the connection 93 and the center of the pivotal connection for the seatsupport strap 16, the arrangement being such that when the seat-support is to be swung about the pivot 15, the strut 9| is projected upwardly as the seat is moved to its operative position, so that said strut is largely retracted between the straps 11 and 18 when the seat is in its folded position.

The seat 83 is capable of assuming two operative positions, that is, positions in which the seat is used while the operator is driving the vehicle. The first of these positions as illustrated in Figure'5- of the drawings, permits the seat to assume a substantially horizontal position. The second of these is illustrated in Figure 6, in which the seat illustrated assumes an approximately vertical position. The scat is arranged so that the operator can conveniently straddle the same and manipulate the foot pedal 48 with one leg and either the foot pedal 63 or the fuel control 64 with the other leg. With the position of the seat in Figure 6 of the drawings, the operator is intended to lean against the seat to provide a back rest while he is driving the vehicle, if he desires such a rest. If it is desired that the seat be used in the relation shown in Figure 5, the connection 89 is passed through the opening 81 in the link 86, thus maintaining the seat in the full line position illustrated in Figure 8. If it is desired tov adapt it to assume its other operative position on the seat-support 16, the connection 89 is then made through the opening 88 in the link 86, so that the seat will maintain this relation with respect to the seat-support. When the seat is used in the position in which it is substantially horizontal, as shown in Figure 5, it may be readily swung tothe same side of the passageway at which the control elements of the vehicle are disposed by swing- 'ing the seat-support toward the housing I2, causing the seat to assume the position shown in Figure 3 of the drawings. Then the strut 8| is 

